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WVU Hosts Shepherd in Annual Haunted Hoops Game
October 30, 2015 10:16 AM | Women's Basketball
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Fans will get their first look at the 2015-16 West Virginia University women’s basketball team on Saturday in the fourth annual Haunted Hoops game presented by Coke Zero. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and admission is free.
Haunted Hoops presented by Coke Zero is a Halloween-themed preview of the 2015-16 WVU women’s basketball team, and is free and open to the public. The evening’s events will include several children’s activities in the concourse, a highlight video of last season and performances from the Mountaineer cheerleaders and dance team.
A number of Halloween activities will proceed the Mountaineers' tilt with the Rams. The evening will begin in the Coliseum band parking lot at 5 p.m. with Trunk or Treat sponsored by the Institute of Industrial Engineers. Trunk or Treat is an opportunity for kids dressed in their Halloween costume to receive candy from various registered student organizations out of trunks of their respective vehicles. Organizations will also be set up inside the Coliseum to distribute candy as well. Those wishing to participate should bring a clear grocery bag to fill with goodies.
WVU Coliseum gates open at 5:30 p.m. and fans are encouraged to wear their Halloween costume.
“It’s an exciting time for the community,” said coach Mike Carey. “This an opportunity for young kids to dress up for Halloween and have a lot of fun. It also gives us an opportunity to see the new players. Bring your kids and have a great evening. This game is a lot fun.”
A free video stream will be provided at WVUsports.com. Jeff Culhane will call the action on the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG. Fans can listen to the contest on various affiliates across the state, online at WVUsports.com or by using the TuneIn Radio app.
The Mountaineers finished the 2014-15 campaign with a 23-15 overall record and a 7-11 mark in Big 12 play en route to a runner-up finish in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT).
There are four returners from last year’s squad, including Preseason All-Big 12 honoree Bria Holmes. The senior guard tallied a junior scoring record of 716 points and finished the year averaging 18.8 points. Holmes has tallied 1,412 points during her three-year career and was tabbed All-America Honorable Mention last season.
Junior Lanay Montgomery returns after a breakout season. The Pittsburgh native blocked a sophomore record 124 shots last season and ranked fifth in the Big 12 with 7.7 rebounds per game. Additional returners include senior guard Jessica Morton (6.9 ppg) and sophomore forward Teana Muldrow (6.9 ppg).
West Virginia has 11 fresh new faces donning the Old Gold and Blue this season, making the Mountaineers one of the nation’s youngest teams. West Virginia’s 67 percent of scholarship newcomers is tied for fifth nationally with Stetson. Marquette leads the country with 82 percent.
Transfer Arielle Roberson joined WVU this summer after earning a degree from Colorado. Roberson led the Buffaloes in scoring with 12.0 ppg in 2013-14, but missed last season due to an ACL tear. Chania Ray, a transfer from Florida State, will be eligible in January. Additionally, Desiree Rhodes joined West Virginia as a junior after two years at Wabash Valley College.
Coach Carey’s squad has eight freshmen on the roster, which is believed to be the most in his coaching career: Alexis Brewer (Buffalo, Ky.), Anja Martin (San Antonio, Texas), Tynice Martin (Atlanta, Ga.), Katrina Pardee (Cedar Park, Texas), Yassemeen “Yazzy” Sa’Dullah (Burbank, Calif.), Lauren Saiki (Monterey Park, Calif.), Marlena Schmidt (Eighty Four, Pa.) and Olivia Seggie (Morgantown, W.Va.).
“It gives us an opportunity to get in a game situation,” stated Carey. “They’re going to play in front of a crowd for the first time in a West Virginia uniform. We have 15 players and 11 of them have never wore a West Virginia uniform.”
The Mountaineers face a Shepherd squad that went 22-10 overall and 17-5 under first-year head coach Jenna Eckleberry last season. The Rams ranked 10th in the NCAA Atlantic region and advanced to the semifinal round of the Atlantic Regional Tournament last season.
Guard Cara Mason returns after boasting 11.5 points and 4.4 assists last season. Forward Liz Myers pulled in a team-best 6.9 rebounds and scored 8.5 points in 30 contests for the Rams last season.
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